Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 106 4-5 Sep 2018
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Kingdom of Persis. Autophradates II. Silver Tetradrachm (16.91 g), early-mid 2nd century BC. Persepolis. Diademed head of Autophradates II right, wearing kyrbasia adorned with eagle. Reverse: Fire temple of Ahura-Mazda; above, half-figure of Ahura-Mazda; to left, king standing right; to right, eagle standing left on standard. Klose & Müseler 3/1; Alram 546; Sunrise 574. Lightly toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimate Value $7,500 - UP
The reign of Autophradates II is known only from his coins, which are especially notable for showing the breakdown of Seleukid authority in the eastern satrapies. After the death of Alexander the Great, his generals divided his empire amongst themselves, subsequently warring one another for control of the various provinces and satrapies. Seleukos I came to control the entire eastern portion of the realm, but his successors based their power in the west, in Syria and Mesopotamia, leaving the eastern regions under only nominal control. By the later third century the local governors of Persis had begun issuing their own coins, but were mindful to pay nominal respect to their Seleukid overlords by incorporating the title frataraka, i.e., local ruler-priests, in the design. Sometime during the first half of the second century however - perhaps after the Roman defeat of Antiochos III at Magnesia in 190 BC, or around the the time of Antiochos IV's failed anabasis to recoup the Iranian plateau in 164 BC - Autophradates II dropped the pretense of subservience and began issuing coins which either wholly lacked the title of ruler-priest or employed the title of king. Powerless to reassert their authority in the east, this drew no reaction from the Seleukids, and continued throughout the duration that the rulers of Persis struck coinage.
The reign of Autophradates II is known only from his coins, which are especially notable for showing the breakdown of Seleukid authority in the eastern satrapies. After the death of Alexander the Great, his generals divided his empire amongst themselves, subsequently warring one another for control of the various provinces and satrapies. Seleukos I came to control the entire eastern portion of the realm, but his successors based their power in the west, in Syria and Mesopotamia, leaving the eastern regions under only nominal control. By the later third century the local governors of Persis had begun issuing their own coins, but were mindful to pay nominal respect to their Seleukid overlords by incorporating the title frataraka, i.e., local ruler-priests, in the design. Sometime during the first half of the second century however - perhaps after the Roman defeat of Antiochos III at Magnesia in 190 BC, or around the the time of Antiochos IV's failed anabasis to recoup the Iranian plateau in 164 BC - Autophradates II dropped the pretense of subservience and began issuing coins which either wholly lacked the title of ruler-priest or employed the title of king. Powerless to reassert their authority in the east, this drew no reaction from the Seleukids, and continued throughout the duration that the rulers of Persis struck coinage.